Clyde the pocket beagle looks awfully cozy in his new home, where he gets plenty of toys, treats and petting.

Remember Tonka? He was a stray puppy who needed surgery for bilateral hip displasia. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Tonka Fund was created, and we were able to give Tonka the help he needed. Today, he's a great big gorgeous shepherd lab mix who lives happily in South Boston with his person, running on the beach and drawing admiring comments from passersby. What a success story!

One of our volunteer dog walkers, a gentleman named Al, had just started to think about bringing a dog into his family when Hank appeared at the shelter.  After a few weekends of walking and getting to know each other, Hank and Al drove off together and Hank has been enjoying having a new family, complete with an experienced dog walker.
 

Rocco the shepherd's person sent us this great photo of Rocco and wrote: "Rocco is doing great! I think our friends are getting tired of us talking about him all the time. I sent a picture of him chillin' in the back of the truck."

Here's the latest on two of our feline alums: "When they left the Milton Animal Shelter in February, I believe, you knew them as Archie and Roland, formerly of a warehouse.  [Archie became Rascal, and Roland became Oscar] As healthy, young, male cats, they love to play.  They love the wood floors that are throughout my house.  Some times, they wrestle, which often results in an orange, black and white fur ball rolling or skidding across the floor.  They dash up and down the stairs, sounding like a couple of elephants.  Other times, they groom each other, sleep together or perch on the back of a chair to look out the window. As their new staff, I consider this adoption a success!"  (That's Oscar smooshing himself into a bowl, top,and Rascal "helping" with some quilting, below)

Here's an excerpt from a great note from Gunner's new family: Buddy [Gunner] is a real joy to have around, we take him everywhere with us.  . . . He has enriched our lives in so many ways I could go on writing all night. . . Every evening as soon as I get home he picks up the nearest object & starts prancing around like a little puppy - it just melts all the stress of a days work away.  

Cyrus came to visit us recently, and volunteers gathered to celebrate. Cyrus was in very bad shape when he was seized from a neglectful owner.  We nursed him back to health, and a boxer-loving family took him home.  He has thrived with his new people, nearly doubling his weight to a healthy 100 lbs and growing out a shiny coat.   We couldn't be happier that noble, gentle Cyrus has the loving home he truly deserves.

That's Toby, the black lab/golden mix, on the right. He came to the shelter as a tiny puppy with his mom and littermates. He's pictured with his buddies Seamus, the birthday boy, and Cassie, a rescue from Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue. The senior goldens posed nicely in their birthday hats, while silly Toby ate his.

Chanel was adopted as a kitten by a volunteer who was willing to give her a chance, despite the fact that Chanel does not have full use of one of her back legs.  This challenge doesn't slow Chanel down a bit, and she has, as is clear in this picture, grown into a gorgeous cat.  She is now living happily with two other rescued cats.

Bear is a purebred soft-coated wheaten terrier who was abandoned at our vet's office.  Bear's luck soon changed, and he was adopted by a couple who dote on him.  He's pictured wearing his raincoat, on his way out for another long walk in the park.
 

Widget's owners sent us this wonderful picture and update: Here's Widget (formerly Merry) having a little rest on the sofa with her pal Rocky.  She's so fun to have around - and she absolutely adores and idolizes Rocky.
 

Chloe (now Darby) is a red and white female husky adopted by a family with a lonesome male husky (Decklin, on the right).  We could
tell it was love at first sight all around, and her new family writes: "We could not have picked a better addition to our family . . . even the cats enjoy her.  She has bonded incredibly with our other husky, Decklin - they are joined at the hip every second of the day."
 

Truman (now Duke):  Truman himself sent us a holiday card, in which he wrote: "I'm sending you some pictures of me and my dad.  I am so happy here.  My day is spent playing, playing, napping and playing.  My dad is funny, he even dresses me up and teaches me to dance the macarena [pictured]."
 

What a face!  Amber's owner writes:  This picture was taken 4th of July weekend on my brother's boat in Maine.  Amber had the best time!  She went on the boat, canoe and tubing, too.  She was all smiles all weekend.  She has been my pride and joy over the past year and I'm so happy to have her.  It's been great educating people about pit bulls and showing them that not all pit bulls are bad dogs.  I have been told that Amber is one of the friendliest dogs that most people have ever met!

Maura and Haley are two senior ladies who were adopted from us not long ago.  Their new mom asked us to post their pictures with advice for potential adopters: anyone who passes up a senior cat doesn't know what they're missing! Haley and Maura occupy all the comfy spots in the house - Haley in particular will quiver with anticipation if she even thinks someone is going to sit down and create a lap for her.  

Maxine's owner writes: "Maxine grew up to be a beautiful girl!!  She lives with two Pit Bulls.  They would love to play with her, but Maxine is not interested.  (Although, she will she swat their butts if she has the opportunity! Gently of course!!) She has her own playground on top of the dining room table and has her favorite window that she sits in.  Life is good!"  

Remember Boris?  This handsome German Shepherd dog was a stray who, we discovered, suffers from a chronic digestive problem.  After months of treatment, one of our volunteers decided to give Boris a chance in her own home.   He has truly blossomed - putting on weight and growing out a thick shiny coat.  He's now ready to start advanced obedience classes with his proud owner.

Here's an update from Vanna's new family "Only 2 weeks with us and Savannah (as we now call her) is the queen of the house!  She will not sleep anywhere but in our bed on our pillows and is always by one of our sides.   I have attached a picture of Savannah in her favorite place (our bed!).

Sawyer's new owner writes: I just wanted to give the shelter an update on Colonel Mustard, now Sawyer, who I adopted on Columbus Day '06. He greets me at the door when I get home, loves to give hugs and eskimo kisses, and has taught himself to do forward rolls. Here's a photo of Sawyer with his favorite Christmas present from his grandparents - the mouse squeeks!

Ruby is a fifteen year old three-toed box turtle.  Ruby, like many of her long-lived kin, has had several families.  She is now happily living at a local pre-school, where she delights the children and the staff.  For more information about reptiles, check out the website for the New England Herpetological Society.

Chester was a 1.5 year old unneutered pit bull found on the streets last February.  We brought him home where he became the joy of our lives.  He even graduated from 2 levels of Happy Dog training!  He is a very happy dog who makes everyone laugh and feel loved. Don't believe what you hear about pits - it's the owner, not the dog.  He's gentle as a lamb, as the cats, mice, and rabbits in our yard can tell you.  We take him everywhere!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!